“Thank you for being my miracle”
These were the emotionally wrought words that 14-year-old Alj Jefferies said in between tears in front of the family that saved his life. The Zimmermans, of Inverness in Florida, had donated the heart of their deceased daughter, Katelyn, to the critically ill teen in order for him to lead a normal life.
Tragically, Katelyn Zimmerman and her younger brother Dylan were killed while they were playing on their bicycles close to their home in a drink-driving incident.
Katelyn, who was aged 14, died that day, while her brother fought for his life for another month before passing away also.
The Zimmermans made a tough yet noble decision: to donate their daughter’s heart.
The video, shot by American TV station FOX8, captured the moment the Zimmermans met the young teen who received their late daughter’s heart.
We can see Alj Jeffries, the young teen who was in a near-death state in hospital, stand tall and proud in front of Katelyn’s parents and say, while stifling tears: “Thank you for the gift to see more in life, thank you for me to have a second chance, thank you for being my miracle.”
The Zimmermans have been praised for their kindness despite the tragic circumstances.
Alj’s mum, Tina, said: “I know how much you have sacrificed to give another person another life, my gratitude cannot be put into words.”
After her son’s surgery, Tina had decided not to listen to his new heartbeat until the donor family had the chance to do so first.
Katelyn’s dad Shawn said: “It put us at peace knowing that Katelyn’s heart is still beating even though it’s not in her.”
After both families exchanged gifts, they released balloons in memory of those who were lost.
Watch the emotional video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMEbl9Tlxe4
